Sliding-type electric component having carbon fiber contact

Abstract

The present invention provides a sliding contact member including a contact element, wherein the contact element includes a bundle of carbon fibers formed by bundling a plurality of carbon fibers and lubricant contained among the plurality of carbon fibers of the bundle of carbon fibers, and at least part of the bundle of carbon fibers is capable of a sliding movement with respect to tracks of a conductive pattern.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An electric component comprising: 
       a pair of conductive tracks;  
       a tubular substantially U-shaped holder;  
       a bundle of carbon fibers carried by the substantially U-shaped holder such that the bundle of fibers is exposed at opposite ends of the holder, each end of the bundle of carbon fibers being arranged to diagonally engage an associated one of the conductive tracks at an angle of inclination in the range of approximately 20 to 60 degrees such that side portions of at least some of the carbon fibers in the bundle of carbon fibers resiliently brush against their associated conductive tracks, the bundle of carbon fibers being arranged to slide back and forth relative to the conductive tracks with the bundle of carbon fibers diagonally engaging the conductive tracks without reversing the orientation of the carbon fibers as the bundle of carbon fibers slides back and forth relative to the conductive tracks; and  
       a lubricant contained among the bundle of carbon fibers.  
     
     
       2. An electric component as recited in  claim 1  wherein the electric component is a variable resister. 
     
     
       3. An electric component as recited in  claim 1  wherein the lubricant is contained within the substantially U-shaped holder. 
     
     
       4. An electric component as recited in  claim 1  wherein the lubricant is impregnated within the bundle of carbon fibers. 
     
     
       5. An electric component as recited in  claim 1  wherein the lubricant is carried in a resin that covers the carbon fibers. 
     
     
       6. An electric component as recited in  claim 1  wherein the electric component is a component of a variable resister.